Local Real Estate

Subscribe Now

ACCORDING to Rockhampton rugby league coach Stephen Parle, loyalty left the game a long time ago.

"It's all about the dollar now," he said.

Parle was yesterday left shocked and disappointed after the Brisbane Broncos announced the termination of head coach and former local man Anthony Griffin, who will be replaced by NRL great Wayne Bennett from next year.

"I think he (Anthony) has been doing a really good job," Mr Parle said.

"You can be the best coach in the world but Origin and injuries and various things have an impact.

"Anthony's a good man manager... a great coach."

Parle said he believed the board's decision was forced by the hand of News Limited, the club's major stake holder.

He said the players and even legend Gorden Tallis had previously thrown their support behind Griffin.

"A lot of the players wanted him to stay," he said.

"But loyalty was gone out of the game a long time ago."

Parle said while Griffin probably didn't see the move coming, he would get on with the job.

"He's a realist, he knows there are no guarantees," he said.

CQ NRL Bid chief executive Denis Keeffe said it was inappropriate for him to comment on the announcement or their interest in Griffin.

However, he said he had a lot of respect for Griffin.

"Anthony is a genuine NRL coach and a very talented one and when the time comes the CQ NRL team would be seeking a genuine NRL coach," he said.

He said the NRL should be making an announcement regarding the competition's expansion towards the end of the year.